Did Griselda Blanco know Pablo Escobar?

Griselda on Netflix tracks the life of Griselda Blanco as she creates one of the most profitable cartels in history, which begs the question, did she know Pablo Escobar?

Starring Sofia Vergara in the titular role, the six-episode limited series Griselda follows the true-to-life story of the Colombian drug lord establishing her reign in Miami, Florida.

However, fans of true crime or existing shows such as Narcos will know that another name is typically more prominent when we think of drug cartels: Pablo Escobar.

With the new TV show now on Netflix, here’s what we know about whether the real-life Griselda Blanco knew Pablo Escobar.

Did Griselda Blanco know Pablo Escobar?

According to multiple sources, Griselda Blanco did know Pablo Escobar.

Though most of her notoriety as the “Godmother of Cocaine” took place in Miami in the 1980s, it was believed by many that Blanco was a member of the Medellín Cartel, which Escobar headed.

It’s thought that Blanco earned her nickname “La Madrina” (The Godmother) because of her ties to Escobar, who was known as “El Padrino” (The Godfather).

While Escobar started smuggling drugs in the early 1970s, the cartel wasn’t started up until 1976. Blanco began to be active in the drug world in the 1970s but didn’t branch out on her own until a decade later.

Blanco and Escobar would have been rivals during the 1970s if rumors of Blanco’s involvement with the cartel were incorrect. Some sources believe that although Escobar outranked her in terms of leverage, Blanco had established her legacy well before his arrival. Still ruling the roost into the 2000s, Blanco outlasted Escobar as well.

In the Netflix series, a link is made between the two at the start of Episode 1. A quote from Escobar flashes up, “The only man I was ever afraid of was a woman named Griselda Blanco.” However, Escobar isn’t depicted in the series, it focuses on Griselda’s other allies and rivals.

Another link between Blanco and Escobar is the city of Medellín itself, where they both operated and were killed. The pair were murdered similarly: Escobar was killed by a gunshot wound to the head while trying to escape in 1993, and Blanco was shot in a drive-by motorbike assassination in 2012.

Griselda is streaming on Netflix now. You can read more in how did Griselda Blanco’s sons die, why is Griselda Blanco called the Black Widow, and how much money did Griselda Blanco make.